My dear Brother The account you give of M^r Stockton's Resignation surprises me much. I cannot conjecture his Reasons for re-signing an Office, the Duties of which he has yet scarcely exercised. The Defects consequentially attendant upon the Appointment in [undecipherable]; & of Course the Emoluments are but Small. The Time, constantly consumed in attending the District & Circuit Courts, is the only important Consideration with a Man of Business. This may have influenced him, & probably did so. — However even that Sacrifice I would cheerfully make, if I thought that my Acceptance of the Office would in any Degree contribute to render Federal Courts more respectable in the State of New Jersey. How far this Appointment might hereafter interfere with the local Politicks of New Jersey, I cannot now determine. The Last Assembly had under Consideration an Act, disqualifying every Person who held an Office under the United States from Sitting in the Legislature of New Jersey. — Had this we had Address enough to defeat. — It may not have the Same Fate at the next Sessions. — Now as it is my Intention to come forward in some public line, as soon as my Son goes into Business, which will be next [undecipherable: probable reading: Fall], it would be impolitick in me to hold an Office, which might disqualify me from a Seat in the House of Assembly — the [underline: Stepping Stone] to every Appointment in the Nomination of the Legislature, or Election of the People at Large. — — Hence I am really at a Loss how to answer your Letter. — For on the one Hand my Pride would be flattered by so hon[ou]rable an Appointment under the United States; on the other my Acceptance may defeat my future Advancement in the line of public Life. — You may therefore confide my Friends, & do [undecipherable] for me what you think right. M^rs O— joins in Love to Sister [undecipherable] & you dear [undecipherable]. We hope to embrace you, & [undecipherable] at our House in the Holy days — [undecipherable] then adieu — May God bless you Abn Ogden [signature] New York 20 Dec^r 1790, Ten. Ogden Esq^r —